For the fourth consecutive year, the Borough of Dupont gave back to its community by having a Thanksgiving dinner for all to enjoy Nov. 18 at Germania Hose Co. hall. The Dupont Police Dept. sponsored the event.

A few years ago, Duryea Police Chief Nick Lohman had the idea of giving back to the community and he thought the best way to do that iwas by having a Thanksgiving dinner for residents and even those from surrounding communities.

The chief, a police veteran of the borough since 1999 and chief since 2009, said the event is at no cost to the taxpayers. “The turkey is donated by Family Pharmacy, Gerrity’s in Moosic prepares the turkeys, My Sister’s Kitchen provides the stuffing, AuRants donates the green beans and mashed potatoes are done by Town Tavern,” Lohman said.

The pastries were donated anonymously this year.

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Chief Lohman doesn’t put on the event alone, as he has plenty of help from the Duryea Crime Watch members, Holy Rosary School students, the Duryea Boy Scouts and, of course, his fellow members of the Duryea Police Dept.

Hailey Halagarda, 13, of Holy Rosary School, volunteered for the first time. “I know every year I have a big feast on Thanksgiving and I thought about how many people don’t get to eat as much as I do or don’t get to see other people as much as I do, so I decided to volunteer,” Halagarda said.

According to Chief Lohman, for the first few years of the event, there was the misconception the dinner was put on for those who could not afford the meal or perhaps lived alone and did not want to prepare a large meal for themselves.

“The event is for anybody and it’s not just for the needy; it’s a community event and it’s a way for the police dept. to give back to the community,” Lohman said.

This year, there were 250 turkey dinners prepared and the chief was anticipating between 200 and 225 would be served.

One such person is Carole Berry who attended the turkey dinner all four years of its existence. “At first, I thought the dinners were for the needy, but it’s not; the police do a lot around here,” Berry said. “You meet people you see that you haven’t seen in a while; it’s really nice, including all the businesses in the town that donate.”

A small amount of raffle items were up for grabs and the money raised goes back to the Thanksgiving event for the next year.

Danielle Acernese, of Avoca, attended for the first time. She’s the mother of the current Lil Miss Germania for 2017-2018, 3-year old Faith Frable. Faith who wore her crown and sash representing Germania Hose Co.

“I think it’s an awesome thing; I think it’s great for people to get together whether they can afford a meal or not afford a meal, it’s just great to see everyone,” Acrenese said.

As for Lil Miss Germania, she loved the iced tea and cranberry sauce.

Three-year-old Lil Miss Germania Faith Fable digs into her cranberry sauce at the annual Duryea Police Department Thanksgiving Dinner held at Germania Hose Co.
https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/web1_Dinner2.CMYK_.jpgThree-year-old Lil Miss Germania Faith Fable digs into her cranberry sauce at the annual Duryea Police Department Thanksgiving Dinner held at Germania Hose Co. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

By Tony Callaio

For Sunday Dispatch

Reach the Sunday Dispatch newsroom at 570-655-1418 or by email at sd@psdispatch.com.